SANTA CLARITA — Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, both part of the Carnival Corporation umbrella, have announced an extended pause of select cruises through June 2021.
While both lines continue to work with government and port authorities to plan a safe return to cruising, certain voyages have been cancelled due to ongoing travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
PRINCESS CRUISES
Princess is extending its pause of cruise vacations sailing the Caribbean, California coast, Mexico and the Mediterranean through June 30, 2021. The pause affects the following voyages:
- Caribbean Princess: Seven-day Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises
- Enchanted Princess: Seven-day Mediterranean & Adriatic, seven-day Western Mediterranean, and 14-day Western Mediterranean & Adriatic Medley
- Ruby Princess: Seven-day Classic California Coast, seven-day Mexican Riviera, and five-day Cabo San Lucas Getaway sailings
For guests booked on a cancelled voyage, Princess will offer to move them to the equivalent cruise in 2022. The rebooking process will have the added benefit of protecting the guest’s 2021 fare on their 2022 voyage. Alternatively, guests can choose a future cruise credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid, plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 10% of the cruise fare paid (minimum US$25) or a full refund to the original form of payment.
For guests currently booked on a cancelled voyage where there is no matched cruise available in 2022, guests will automatically receive a refundable future cruise credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 10% of the cruise fare paid (minimum $25). Alternatively, guests can request a full refund to the original form of payment.
Requests must be received through this online form by April 15, 2021 or guests will automatically receive the FCC option. FCCs can be used on any cruises booked by and sailing by December 31, 2022.
Princess will transfer the commission earned by travel agents from the cancelled 2021 cruise to the new booking in 2022 for bookings that were paid in full. This convenience is in recognition of the critical role they play in the cruise line’s business and success.
More information can be found online at Information on Impacted & Cancelled Cruises.
HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Holland America is extending its pause of European cruise operations to include departures through June 30, 2021.
Impacted cruises include the following:
- Nieuw Statendam: Eight departures from May 2 through June 27, 2021 that include seven- and 14-day Norway and Baltic itineraries as well as the 14- and 21-day Collectors’ Voyages of those cruises
- Volendam: June 19, 2021, 14-day Adriatic Dream cruise and the 24-day Adriatic Dream and Greek Odyssey Collectors’ Voyage departing the same date
- Westerdam: June 19, 2021, 12-day Greece and Adriatic Antiquities cruise and the 24-day Adriatic Antiquities and Mediterranean Romance Collectors’ Voyage departing the same date
Holland America is notifying all guests and their travel advisors of their options. Guests currently booked on the cancelled Europe departures will be able to rebook on an equivalent cruise in 2022 at the 2021 fare, with all cash and FCC funds moved to the new booking. Guests will be offered a comparable cruise in 2022 to replace the cancelled voyage and instructions on how to confirm this selection online.
If guests decide not to accept a cruise booking in 2022 by April 15, 2021, they automatically default to receive an FCC of 110% of any cash paid on the booking. The minimum FCC is $25 and the maximum will be an amount up to the base cruise fare paid. Guests will retain any other FCC used for the canceled 2021 booking with all FCC amounts moved to their loyalty account for use on a future cruise booking. For all bookings in 2022, standard cancellation policies apply.
Guests who prefer a 100% refund of monies paid to Holland America Line can visit the Cancellation Preferences Form to indicate their preference no later than April 15, 2021.
The FCC is valid for sailings departing through Dec. 31, 2022. Noncruise fare purchases — shore excursions, airfare, gifts, dining and spa — will be transferred to a new booking if possible or automatically refunded via the method ofpayment used to purchase the services.
The above options are not applicable to guests booked on a charter sailing.
The cruise line previously paused global cruise operations and cancelled all departures on all ships through April 30, 2021, Mediterranean cruises through early June, and all departures sailing to or from a Canadian port in 2021.
